Cover for coal-holes, manholes, vaults, trenches, &amp;c.



H. A. MUGLER & G. D. MCNAUGHTON.

COVER FOR GOAL HOLES, MANHOLBS, VAULTS, TRENCHES, dw. APPLICATION HLEDrEB.13.1911.

1,035,722. Patented Aug. 13,191.2.

Fiyi. Figi face has been worn away by traftic.

'NTTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HERMAN AUGUST MUGLER, 0F NEW YORK, N. Y., AND GEORGE D. MCNAUGHTON, 0FEAST ORANGE, NEW JERSEY.

COVER FOR COAL-HOLES, MANHOLES, VAUL'IS, TRENCHES, &G.

To all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that we, HERMAN AUGUST MUGLER, residing in the borough ofMan hattan, city, county, and State of New York, and GEORGE D.MGNAUGHTON, residing at East Orange, county of Essex, State of NewJersey, both citizens of the United States, have discovered and inventedcertain new and useful Improvements in Covers for Coal-Holes, Manholes,Vaults, Trenches, and Similar Purposes.

The object of the invention is a cover for the uses indicated, which isstrong and durable, of simple and inexpensive construction, convenientin its application, and which possesses certain other importantadvantages over prior constructions for like uses.

Briefly, the cover of the present invention comprises a hollow, metal,frame of the shape and size of the opening to be closed. This frame iswithout top or bottom but supports within the same, a net work whichserves as a reinforcement or support for a filling of concrete or otheragglomeration of sand, cinders, gravel, slag and the like, or which maybe of any composition adapted to the use for which th-e cover' isintended. The net work consists of rods which radiate to the frame froma point within the same (preferably from the axis of' the frame), and ofstrands of metal which cross the rods, and encircle or embrace the axisof the frame. These latter strands are spaced from each other; and, inorder that the strength of the reinforcement may be greater at thecenter of the cover than elsewhere, the spacing of the strands ispreferably progressively closer as the center of the cover isapproached. The filling forms the body of the cover, and may if desiredhave its surfaces crowned, or be otherwise made thicker at the center ofthe cover to more effectually withstand the strain of traffic.

This cover when set in sidewalks or streets, offers greater safety tothe traveling public than the cast iron and steel covers now almostuniversally used. It will wear gritty and offer a safe foot-hold for manor beast when in a wet or icy condition; whereas, the iron coverscommonly used become smooth and polished after their original sur- ItsSpecification of Letters Patent.

Application filed February 13, 1911.

Patented Aug. 13, 1912.

serial No. 608,467.

wearing surface is similar' in texture and wearing qualities to thesurrounding walk, pavement, or other adjoining surface.

The covers of the present invention are and will be less unsightly thanother covers by reason of the fact that it can be made similar in colorand appearance to the surrounding material.

The above and other features of the invention will more clearly appearfrom the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a plan showing thecover in position when used in connection with a frame in which thecover as a whole is set. Fig. 2 is a vertical transverse section of thecover supported as in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a plan view of a modified formof the cover in position, the supporting frame of Fig. 1 being absent,or rather, being constructed as a part of the cover, permitting theremoval in its entirety of the cover and frame. Fig. 4t is a verticaltransverse section of the cover of Fig. 3, showing the same in place.Figs. 5 and G show the arrangement of the reinforcing material for acircular and for a square cover respectively.

In Figs. 1, 9., 3 and 4, the street or other surface is indicated at a.1n Figs. 1 and 2, there is more or less permanently set into the surfacea, a frame b having a flange e on which the cover rests. The frame whichforms part of the cover is preferably of angle iron cross section tohave a flange g on which the rods l forming part of the reinforcementmay rest. The reinforcement as shown in Figs. 5 and G comprises a metalring i having eyelets 'L' for engagement with the rods Z at the centerof the cover. The rods (l radiate from the ring it to the frame f, asdescribed. Strands of wire (Z, forming circles of increasing diameter,are interwoven with the Vrods (l, and extend concentrically around thecenter or axis of the cover'. The strands d are set closer together nearthe center of the cover for the purpose hereinbefore set forth. rlhefilling c is shown as set into the cover frame f in such manner as to beinterlocked with the reinforcement.

The construction of Figs. 3 and 4L differs from that of Figs. 1 and 2 inthat the frame Z) of Figs. l and 2 is missing in Figs. 3 and 4:. Thecover frame 7c of Figs. 3 and l is supported directly on the street orother surface by means of a liange m.

It is evident from an examination ofFigs. 5 and 6, that if the cover becut in circles, described around the center of the cover, each cut inturn, as the center is approached 'Will have a higher percentage ofmetal reinforcement than the preceding one, so that the strength of theentire plate increases as the center is approached, and if properlyWorked out the reinforcement, can be so arranged that the strength Willincrease at approximately the same rate that the strain increases towardthe center. If desired, the amount of concrete may also be increasedtoward the center; this can be done by increasing thethickness of theplate as the center is approached, making the cover lenticular in crosssection by rounding` off top or bottom, or both. The amount and spacingof the reinforcing material Will, of

course, depend on the size of the cover and the loads to be sustained.

What Weclaim is:

A cover for manholes and the like, com prising a metal frame open at topand bottom, a plurality of rods radiating to said frame from a pointWithin the same and supported on the frame at their outer eX- tremities,strands of Wire crossing one after another of said rods to encircle thepoint from which the latter radiate, the strands being spaced one fromthe other between the frame and the point of radiation of the rods, withthe spaces more reduced as the axis or' the frame is approached, and aconcrete lilling Within the frame for Which filling the rods randstrands form a reinforcement.

HERMAN AUGUST MUGLER.

GEORGE D. MCNAUGHTON. Witnesses HARRY E. HERMAN,

JEANETTE A. BRARY.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C.

